The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has called on all owners of hotels and furnished apartments to abide strictly by the latest list of SCTA-approved prices and to display it in a prominent place for easy viewing by guests, said engineer Ahmad Al-Isa, Director General of Licenses and Quality at the SCTA. He said the measure is to ensure the owners stick to the approved price list and allow the government to tackle offenders. He said the increase in prices for the high season was approved by the commission and calculated according to the new classification of tourist accommodation. It was not based on the old system and classification where owners would sometimes overcharge customers by as much as 70 percent. Al-Isa said the new price policy makes it mandatory for hotels to fix prices of accommodation, meals, snacks and beverages. He said the price list was eolved in consultation with citizens and various authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
